If church or house is decorated for a christening, white flowers only are employed, in conjunction with palms and ferns to relieve them.  White lilies are particularly beautiful.  The table is adorned with white flowers; the cakes and bonbons are white.  Any desired refreshments may be served, those for afternoon tea being suitable.  That old-fashioned beverage known as caudle is never served at any other time.  It is dispensed in bouillon cups.

MOURNING ETIQUETTE.

Conduct of Funerals—­

So brief the span between our birth and death that the etiquette of burial may fittingly follow that of the christening ceremony.  It might be supposed that the funeral, especially the private, could be conducted without formality.  But informality often means disorder, and simplicity without order is confusion.  There is no time where lack of order and system so grate on one’s nerves as at a funeral.  The less “fuss” on such an occasion the better, and for that reason, the routine of meals should go on as usual, though no one seems to have the heart to eat them.  Still, it is in a way a comfort to most people to feel the chain of accustomed habit; it brings a trifling sense of relief.

Save in the case of a person who has been prominent in the public eye, there is no excuse, or reason, for any but a private funeral.  Time was when not to hasten to the house of death was thought unkind; not to attend the funeral of an acquaintance a mark of disrespect.  We have changed all that.  We do not expect the uninvited to attend our weddings and receptions, why should they come at times of much more intimate and personal emotion—­those times when we can hardly endure the words and presence of those we love best?  What the sensitive have endured at the hands—­or tongues—­of well-meaning but clumsy sympathizers—­not infrequently curious as well as sympathetic—­only those who have suffered can relate.  In addition to the natural grief experienced, the members of the family are usually worn out with nights of watching and days of anxiety; it is a fresh strain to be obliged to see people, relate sick-room details and listen to stereotyped condolences.

[750 Mothers’ remedies]

The Undertaker.—­Cases are rare where there is not some “next friend” who is competent to see the undertaker, and arrange details with him.  In fact, the undertaker may well be put in charge.  He should be competent and experienced.  A clumsy, fussy undertaker is an affliction.

The undertaker will obtain the physician’s certificate as to the cause of death, without which in many cities a burial permit cannot be issued.  He will secure the necessary permit, see to the preparation of the grave, and the purchase of a lot if necessary, arrange the house for the funeral, furnish the bearers, and secure the requisite number of carriages; and, before the family returns from the cemetery, have the funeral paraphernalia out of the house, so that the maids or whoever is left in charge can restore the rooms to their wonted order.  Everything possible is done to spare the grief-stricken.